Every time you catch “news from the entertainment world” you’ll hear a story about a famous actor getting paid $300,000 an episode for a hit TV show, or scoring $2 million to star in the next sure-to-be-a-blockbuster movie.

That may be all you hear, but that’s not reality for the acting profession.

The Screen Actors Guild provides a hearty dose of reality with these statistics:

• 98% of member actors make less than $15,000 per year
• 90% make less than $10,000
• 85% make less than $5,000

Actors are the most rejected people on the planet.  More rejected than door-to-door salespeople, than telemarketers, even more rejected than Beavis and Butthead.

Even those of us who can make a living are rejected more often than we are chosen, and cast in a production. The reality is most actors do not make a living at their craft -- they support themselves by carrying one or two extra jobs to pay the bills.

I have been fortunate enough to be a full-time working actor for 20 + years.  That’s long-term success in a business where 98% of the people who try, fail to make a living.

How did I do it? 

By eliminating rejection as an obstacle to my success, by maintaining a principled and ethical approach to every job I undertake, and by understanding and appreciating the audience I have been challenged to reach.

I have developed an approach to sales success that is based on the principles of acting.  This is not about sales technique.  There’s no SPIN, no presumptive close and no pressure.  I talk about the aspect of selling that the sales gurus ignore – dealing with rejection.

My process transcends all industries and can apply to all professions, but they are especially resonant for individuals involved in sales or in entrepreneurial pursuits.

If you are looking for a fresh keynote that has genuine validity to business but that isn’t the same old ‘you can do it, atta boy’ message, consider inviting me to share insights on life learned while auditioning, preparing, performing and succeeding as an independent businessman in the acting profession.

Preview my speaker’s menu – it provides more information on the material I present.  I look forward to speaking with you.